Anthony Johnson and Dr. James Makokis, from amiskwaciy-w‚skahikan (Edmonton), Treaty Number Six Territory, were crowned the Amazing Race Canada season 7 champions after crossing the finish line during the showís season finale on Sept. 10.Mark ONeill / Edmonton

Edmonton’s Anthony Johnson and Dr. James Makokis are aiming to shatter misconceptions by being the first Indigenous, two-spirit couple to win Amazing Race Canada.

The pair took first place during the finale of the show’s seventh season on Sept. 10, earning the coveted title and a $250,000 cash prize.

Both Makokis and Johnson hoped by participating in the competition they could bring more awareness to diversity issues.

“We have never seen a two-spirit, married, Indigenous couple on TV,” Makokis said. “Combined with our background — I’m a family doctor and Anthony is a Harvard graduate and all the experiences in between — we knew this was an opportunity to help shatter some of those stereotypes people often have of Indigenous people or gay people and we did that.”

Together the couple travelled across six provinces and one territory to become this season’s winners, beating out nine other teams. Makokis and Johnson also won two 2019 Chevrolet Blazers and a trip around the world.

Makokis said the biggest challenge during the race was not knowing what was coming up next. There was also the pressure of not knowing if they would be the ones kicked off next.

Johnson said there’s no other experience that really compares.

“It was like the equivalent of a final exam at Harvard and I haven’t studied times 10,” he said. “There’s also a sense of exhilaration and frustration and this whole spectrum of emotions that there’s really no way to prepare for.”

In total, the teams travelled to 14 cities across Canada, including a stop in Edmonton at the Old Strathcona Antique Mall. When the two finished the challenge and got the clue, they couldn’t hold back and had to let everyone know that they were from Edmonton.

“The whole store started cheering,” Makokis said. “It was super special to be in there.”

Another big take away for Johnson, who is originally from the United States, was being able to explore and see Canada.

“I thought what better way to open the door to my life in Canada then to be on the Amazing Race,” he added. “To be able to do that in Edmonton, it actually feels good to call Edmonton home and it has been a really gratifying experience.”

The two are already planning their international trip and are looking to escape the city’s cold winter by visiting Asia and New Zealand, but the couple said they are open to suggestions.